ENZA Webinar – Integrated Heating & Cooling: A Multi-Energy Transition for a Competitive Europe

This webinar will focus primarily on industrial and large-scale heating needs, where the need to cut emissions is the most acute and competitiveness impacts are highest, while also addressing implications for district systems and buildings as part of an integrated local energy system.

According to Eurostat data, about 50% of all energy consumed in the EU is used for heating and cooling, making it a critical lever for achieving climate neutrality. It is one of Europe’s largest and hardest-to decarbonise energy use, spanning households, services, district systems and energy-intensive industries. Today, around 70% of heating and cooling demand is still met by fossil fuels. Achieving climate neutrality therefore requires a coherent EU-level approach that supports the rapid deployment of all viable clean solutions while enabling local authorities, industries and consumers to choose technologies that best fit their needs.

This session builds on ENZA’s Recommendations on the EU Heating & Cooling Strategy and brings together policymakers, system operators, industry users and technology providers to explore how a multi-energy, multi-technology and multi-sector model can deliver a faster, more flexible and affordable transition.

The discussion will examine the complementary role of renewable and low-carbon gases (biomethane, renewable liquid gases, hydrogen and derivatives), renewable and fossil-free electricity, and direct renewable heat (solar thermal, geothermal, solid biomass, waste heat). In addition, we will highlight the potential to reduce emissions through hybrid and integrated systems, including hybrid heat pumps, high-efficiency cogeneration, and district heating and cooling optimisation. An integrated approach of local energy system operators is essential to deliver efficient, flexible and affordable multi-energy solutions for consumers, SMEs and industry.

A strong focus will also be placed on industry, highlighting the needs of energy-intensive users. The panel will discuss how Europe can reduce emissions while improving competitiveness, strengthening EU-made clean technologies, equally ensuring affordability for consumers and SMEs. Ultimately, the session aims to outline practical next steps for a coherent European Heating & Cooling Strategy that applies the efficiency-first principle, supports innovation and system flexibility, and empowers local actors to deliver reliable, cost-effective decarbonisation.

Agenda
10:00–10:05 | Opening Remarks
Moderator:
Jori Ringman, Director General, Cepi

10:05–10:20 | Fireside chat: Delivering a Coherent EU Heating & Cooling Strategy Speaker

10:20–11:00 | Panel Discussion: Multi-Energy, Multi-Technology and Multi-Sector Approaches for Industry, Buildings & District Systems
Speakers:
Ewa Abramiuk-Lété, General Manager, LGE
Gert De Block, Secretary General, CEDEC
Giuseppe Tilocca, Technical Lead, ETN Global
Karl Vrancken, Chief Sustainability Officer, Indaver (member of CEWEP)                                                              Lucie Nebut, Public Affairs Representative, Newheat

11:00–11:15 | Audience Q&A and interactive debate, guided by poll results
11:20–11:30 | Closing Remarks